Method, Apparatus, and Computer Program Product for Searching for Promotions

ABSTRACT

Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided herein for improving consumer interactions with Marketing and Promotion Service systems. In one embodiment, a method for searching for promotions is provided which includes accessing a map to be displayed to a consumer; receiving input comprising a time period; and receiving input comprising a circumscribed region on a map, wherein the circumscribed region provides an indication of an area in which the consumer is planning to travel. The method further includes searching, by a processor, for promotions within the circumscribed region that are redeemable during the time period and generating an impression comprising one or more promotions returned from the searching for promotions, wherein the impression includes at least one promotion related to travel. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisionalapplication Ser. No. 17/303,874, filed Jun. 9, 2021 and titled “Method,Apparatus, and Computer Program Product for Searching for Promotions,”which is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No.14/628,995 filed Feb. 23, 2015 and titled “Method, Apparatus, andComputer Program Product for Searching for Promotions,” which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/943,737, filed Feb. 24,2014 and titled, “Method, Apparatus, and Computer Program Product forSearching for Promotions,” each of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD

Embodiments of the invention relate, generally, to facilitatingpromotion searches by a consumer within a promotion and marketingservice application.

BACKGROUND

Marketing and promotion services seek to encourage consumers to exploreand discover available promotions that the consumer may be interestedin, and as a result provide a variety of methods for a consumer tosearch available promotions. Consumers are increasingly using mobiledevices and applications to search for and order such promotions. As aresult, there is a need to provide more intuitive methods for consumersto seek out available promotions. In this regard, a number ofdeficiencies and problems associated with the systems used to, amongother things, provide consumers with information about availablepromotions have been identified. Through applied effort, ingenuity, andinnovation, many of these identified problems have been solved bydeveloping solutions that are included in embodiments of the presentinvention, some examples of which are described herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Accordingly, a method, apparatus, and computer program product areprovided for improving consumer interactions with Marketing andPromotion Service systems.

A method is provided for searching for promotions, the method including:accessing a map to be displayed to a consumer; receiving inputcomprising a time period; and receiving input comprising a circumscribedregion on a map, wherein the circumscribed region provides an indicationof an area in which the consumer is planning to travel. The methodfurther including searching, by a processor, for promotions within thecircumscribed region that are redeemable during the time period andgenerating an impression comprising one or more promotions returned fromthe searching for promotions, wherein the impression includes at leastone promotion related to travel.

In some embodiments, the method further includes accessing the map basedon a current location of the consumer. In some embodiments, the methodfurther includes accessing the map based on receiving locationparameters from the consumer.

In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving inputcomprising a plurality of circumscribed regions on a map and searchingfor promotions within the plurality of circumscribed regions.

In some embodiments, the method further includes determining a pluralityof coordinate points on the boundary of the circumscribed region anddefining a search criteria for available promotions as being within thearea described by the plurality of coordinate points.

In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving inputcomprising a promotion category and searching for promotions within thecircumscribed region based on the promotion category.

In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving an indicationto store search criteria comprising the circumscribed region, timeperiod, and promotion category; storing the search criteria; andassociating the stored search criteria with the consumer.

In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving alertparameters defined for the stored search criteria; searching forpromotions on a periodic basis using the stored search criteria;determining if the alert parameters are met for one or more promotionsreturned from the searching for promotions; and if the alert parametersare met, generating an impression comprising one or more promotions forwhich the alert parameters are met.

In some embodiments, the promotions comprise travel-related promotions.In some embodiments, the travel-related promotions comprise one or moreof: promotions for lodging paired with methods of travel to an area;promotions for activities paired with lodging or travel to an area;promotions for dining paired with lodging or travel to an area;promotions for services paired with lodging or travel to an area; andpromotions for goods paired with lodging or travel to an area.

In some embodiments, the promotion categories may comprise categories ofdifferent types of travel experiences.

An apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at leastone memory including computer-executable program instructions, the atleast one memory and the computer-executable program instructionsconfigured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus toat least: access a map to be displayed to a consumer; receive inputcomprising a time period; receive input comprising a circumscribedregion on a map, wherein the circumscribed region provides an indicationof an area in which the consumer is planning to travel; search forpromotions within the circumscribed region that are redeemable duringthe time period; and generate an impression comprising one or morepromotions returned from the searching for promotions, wherein theimpression includes at least one promotion related to travel.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises the at least onememory and the computer-executable program instructions configured to,with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to access the mapbased on a current location of the consumer. In some embodiments, theapparatus further comprises the at least one memory and thecomputer-executable program instructions configured to, with the atleast one processor, cause the apparatus to access the map based onreceiving location parameters from the consumer.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises the at least onememory and the computer-executable program instructions configured to,with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive inputcomprising a plurality of circumscribed regions on a map and search forpromotions within the plurality of circumscribed regions.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises the at least onememory and the computer-executable program instructions configured to,with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine aplurality of coordinate points on the boundary of the circumscribedregion and define a search criteria for available promotions as beingwithin the area described by the plurality of coordinate points.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises the at least onememory and the computer-executable program instructions configured to,with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive inputcomprising a promotion category and search for promotions within thecircumscribed region based on the promotion category.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises the at least onememory and the computer-executable program instructions configured to,with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive anindication to store search criteria comprising the circumscribed region,time period, and promotion category; store the search criteria; andassociate the stored search criteria with the consumer.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises the at least onememory and the computer-executable program instructions configured to,with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive alertparameters defined for the stored search criteria; search for promotionson a periodic basis using the stored search criteria; determine if thealert parameters are met for one or more promotions returned from thesearching for promotions; and if the alert parameters are met, generatean impression comprising one or more promotions for which the alertparameters are met.

In some embodiments, the promotions are travel-related promotions. Insome embodiments, the travel-related promotions comprise one or more of:promotions for lodging paired with methods of travel to an area;promotions for activities paired with lodging or travel to an area;promotions for dining paired with lodging or travel to an area;promotions for services paired with lodging or travel to an area; andpromotions for goods paired with lodging or travel to an area.

In some embodiments, the promotion categories comprise categories ofdifferent types of travel experiences.

A computer program product is provided comprising at least onenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-executable program instructions stored therein, thecomputer-executable program instructions comprising programinstructions, when executed by a processor, configured to: access a mapto be displayed to a consumer; receive input comprising a time period;receive input comprising a circumscribed region on a map, wherein thecircumscribed region provides an indication of an area in which theconsumer is planning to travel; search for promotions within thecircumscribed region that are redeemable during the time period; andgenerate an impression comprising one or more promotions returned fromthe searching for promotions, wherein the impression includes at leastone promotion related to travel.

In some embodiments, the computer program product further comprisesprogram instructions configured to access the map based on a currentlocation of the consumer. In some embodiments, the computer programproduct further comprises program instructions configured to access themap based on receiving location parameters from the consumer.

In some embodiments, the computer program product further comprisesprogram instructions configured to receive input comprising a pluralityof circumscribed regions on a map and search for promotions within theplurality of circumscribed regions.

In some embodiments, the computer program product further comprisesprogram instructions configured to determine a plurality of coordinatepoints on the boundary of the circumscribed region and define a searchcriteria for available promotions as being within the area described bythe plurality of coordinate points.

In some embodiments, the computer program product further comprisesprogram instructions configured to receive input comprising a promotioncategory and search for promotions within the circumscribed region basedon the promotion category.

In some embodiments, the computer program product further comprisesprogram instructions configured to receive an indication to store searchcriteria comprising the circumscribed region, time period, and promotioncategory; store the search criteria; and associate the stored searchcriteria with the consumer.

In some embodiments, the computer program product further comprisesprogram instructions configured to receive alert parameters defined forthe stored search criteria; search for promotions on a periodic basisusing the stored search criteria; determine if the alert parameters aremet for one or more promotions returned from the searching forpromotions; and if the alert parameters are met, generate an impressioncomprising one or more promotions for which the alert parameters aremet.

In some embodiments, the promotions are travel-related promotions. Insome embodiments, the travel-related promotions comprise one or more of:promotions for lodging paired with methods of travel to an area;promotions for activities paired with lodging or travel to an area;promotions for dining paired with lodging or travel to an area;promotions for services paired with lodging or travel to an area; andpromotions for goods paired with lodging or travel to an area.

In some embodiments, the promotion categories comprise categories ofdifferent types of travel experiences.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described embodiments of the invention in general terms,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system within which embodiments of thepresent invention may operate;

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart describing example operationsfacilitating searching for promotions in accordance with some exampleembodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 3 illustrates another flowchart describing example operations forsearching for promotions in accordance with some example embodimentsdiscussed herein;

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate flowcharts describing example operations forstoring searches and providing alerts for promotions meeting searchcriteria in accordance with some example embodiments discussed herein;

FIGS. 5-23 illustrate some example graphical user interface displaysthat may be presented by various components of systems or devices inaccordance with some example embodiments discussed herein; and

FIG. 24 illustrates a block diagram of an example device providingoperations in accordance with some example embodiments discussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Glossary

As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information” and similarterms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of beingcaptured, transmitted, received, displayed and/or stored in accordancewith various example embodiments. Thus, use of any such terms should notbe taken to limit the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Further, wherea computing device is described herein to receive data from anothercomputing device, it will be appreciated that the data may be receiveddirectly from the other computing device or may be received indirectlyvia one or more intermediary computing devices, such as, for example,one or more servers, relays, routers, network access points, basestations, and/or the like. Similarly, where a computing device isdescribed herein to send data to another computing device, it will beappreciated that the data may be sent directly to the another computingdevice or may be sent indirectly via one or more intermediary computingdevices, such as, for example, one or more servers, relays, routers,network access points, base stations, and/or the like.

As used herein, the term “promotion and marketing service” refers to aservice that is accessible via one or more computing devices and isoperable to provide example promotion and/or marketing services onbehalf of one or more providers that are offering one or moreinstruments that are redeemable for goods, services, experiences and/orthe like. In some examples, the promotion and marketing service may takethe form of a redemption authority, a payment processor, a rewardsprovider, an entity in a financial network, a promoter, an agent, and/orthe like. As such, the service is, in some example embodiments,configured to present one or more promotions via one or moreimpressions, accept payments for promotions from consumers, issueinstruments upon acceptance of an offer, participate in redemption,generate rewards, provide a point of sale device or service, issuepayments to providers and/or or otherwise participate in the exchange ofgoods, services or experiences for currency, value and/or the like.

As used herein, the terms “provider” and “merchant” may be usedinterchangeably and refers to a business owner, consigner, shopkeeper,tradesperson, vender, operator, entrepreneur, agent, dealer,organization or the like that is in the business of a providing a good,service or experience to a consumer, facilitating the provision of agood, service or experience to a consumer and/or otherwise operating inthe stream of commerce. One example merchant may be a running companythat sells attire for use by a person who runs or participates inathletic activities.

As used herein, the term “consumer” refers to a client, customer,purchaser, shopper, user, or the like, who may be in the position to ordoes exchange value for one or more instruments under the terms definedby one or promotions. For example, and using the aforementioned runningcompany as the example provider, a consumer may be an individual who isinterested in purchasing running shoes.

As used herein, the term “consumer interface” refers to any digitallyrendered user interface displayed on a visual display device forenabling a consumer to interface with a promotion and marketing service.An exemplary consumer interface may enable a consumer to view one ormore promotions, purchase one or more promotions, share one or morepromotions with other consumers, receive messages and/or promotions fromother consumers, receive messages from the promotion and marketingservice, and the like. Exemplary consumer interfaces may be rendered inany desired form including, but not limited to, as a mobile applicationfor display on a mobile computing device (e.g., a smartphone), a webpageor website for display on a mobile or non-mobile computing device viathe Internet, and the like.

As used herein, the term “promotion” refers to any type of offered,presented or otherwise indicated reward, discount, coupon, credit, deal,incentive, discount, media or the like that is indicative of apromotional value or the like that upon purchase or acceptance resultsin the issuance of an instrument that may be used toward at least aportion of the purchase of particular goods, services and/or experiencesdefined by the promotion. An example promotion, using the aforementionedrunning company as the example provider, is $25 for $50 toward runningshoes. In some examples, the promotion defines an accepted value (e.g.,a cost to purchase the promotion), a promotional value (e.g., the valueof the resultant instrument beyond the accepted value), a residual value(e.g., the value upon return or upon expiry of one or more redemptionparameters), one or more redemptions parameters, and/or the like. Usingthe running company promotion as an example, the accepted value is $25and the promotional value is $50. In this example, the residual valuemay be equal to the accepted value.

As used herein, the term “impression” refers to a communication, adisplay, or other perceived indication, such as a flyer, print media,e-mail, text message, application alert, mobile applications, mobilenotifications, other type of electronic interface or distributionchannel, and/or the like, of one or more promotions. For example, andusing the aforementioned running company as the example provider, ane-mail communication sent to consumers that indicates the availabilityof a promotion of $25 for $50 toward running shoes.

As used herein, the term “instrument” refers to any type of gift card,tender, electronic certificate, medium of exchange, voucher, or thelike, that embodies the terms of the promotion from which it results andwhich may be used toward at least a portion of the purchase,acquisition, procurement, consumption, or the like, of goods, servicesand/or experiences. In some examples, an instrument may take the form oftender that has a given value that is exchangeable for goods, servicesand/or experiences and/or a reduction in a purchase price of aparticular good, service, or experience. In some examples, theinstrument may have multiple values, such as an accepted value, apromotional value, and/or a residual value. For example, using theaforementioned running company as the example provider, an instrumentmay comprise an electronic indication in a mobile application that shows$50 of value to spend at the running company. In some examples, theaccepted value of the instrument is defined by the value exchanged forthe instrument. In some examples, the promotional value of theinstrument is defined by the promotion from which the instrumentresulted and is the value of the instrument beyond the accepted value.In some examples, the residual value of the instrument is the valueafter redemption, the value after the expiry or other violation of aredemption parameter, the return or exchange value of the instrument, orthe like.

As used herein, the term “redemption” refers to the use, exchange orother presentation of an instrument for at least a portion of a good,service, or experience as defined by the instrument and its relatedoffer. In some examples, redemption includes the verification ofvalidity of the instrument. In other example embodiments, redemption mayinclude an indication that a particular instrument has been redeemed andthus no longer retains an actual, promotional, and/or residual value(e.g., full redemption). In other example embodiments, redemption mayinclude the redemption of at least a portion of an instrument's actual,promotional, and/or residual value (e.g., partial redemption). Anexample of redemption, using the aforementioned running company as theexample provider, is exchanging a $50 instrument and $50 for a $100 pairof running shoes.

Embodiments of the present invention now will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, embodimentsof the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should notbe construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfyapplicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elementsthroughout.

Overview

A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present invention in orderto improve the ability to search for and ultimately purchase promotionsin a promotion and marketing service system. For example, FIGS. 5-23 ,detailed below, show example displays that may be presented by one ormore display screens of one or more machines, which may sometimes bereferred to as “devices”, “mobile devices”, “consumer devices”, or thelike, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein. For example,the displays of FIGS. 5-23 can be presented to a consumer by a consumerdevice (such as a smart phone, tablet computer, laptop computer,wearable computing device, etc.) and can aid in facilitating a searchfor available promotions by the consumer, e.g., travel promotions,lodging promotions, event/activity promotions, dining promotions, etc.The promotion and marketing service system may thereby be improved byenabling an increase in the sales of promotions and/or goods byfacilitating targeted searches for available promotions by the consumer.

The displays of FIGS. 5-23 can be used to provide a relatively simple,quick, and intuitive way for the consumer to search for and purchaseavailable promotions, such as in the vicinity of the consumer's currentlocation or in a location to which the consumer is planning to travel.In some example embodiments, the consumer may use the displays of FIGS.5-23 to plan, schedule, and purchase a travel, experience, or otherpromotion or combination of promotions. For example, a consumer mayselect a particular geographic area in which to travel, the systems andmethods described herein may then operate to align, organize, orotherwise combine one or more promotions to facilitate such travel. Insome cases, the travel may include airfare, railfare, or the like,lodging, services such as a massage or a restaurant reservation, one ormore goods, or the like. Embodiments of the present invention mayfurther improve the promotion and marketing service system by providingan intuitive and relatively simple location search interface.

In one particular example embodiment, a map may accept a drawn travelarea or multiple drawn travel areas as part of the input to thesearching system described herein and with reference to FIGS. 5-23 . Inone such example, a consumer may draw one or more search areas intowhich they would like to travel. In response, the system may provide oneor more recommendations to facilitate such travel in the form of one ormore promotions.

System Architecture

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 which provides an example networkarchitecture for a Promotion and Marketing Service, which may includeone or more devices and sub-systems that are configured to implementembodiments discussed herein. For example, system 100 may includePromotion and Marketing Service system 102, which may include, forexample, promotion analytics and promotion databases, along with otherelements. Promotion analytics may include any suitable network serverand/or other type of processing device to provide analysis of providerpromotions, transaction data, etc. to facilitate the generation andmarketing of promotions. Promotional databases may include any suitablenetwork databases configured to store provider and consumer data,promotion data, transaction data, redemption data, and/or the like, suchas that discussed herein. In this regard, Promotion and MarketingService system 102 may include, for example, at least one backend dataserver, network database, cloud computing device, or the like, amongother elements.

For example, the Promotion and Marketing Service system 102 may comprisea server 108 in communication with a database 110. The server 108 may beembodied as a computer or computers as known in the art. The server 108may provide for receiving of electronic data from various sources,including but not necessarily limited to the consumer devices 104. Forexample, the server 108 may be operable to receive and processclickstream data provided by the consumer devices 104. The server 108may also facilitate e-commerce transactions based on transactioninformation provided by the consumer devices 104. The server 108 mayfacilitate the generation and providing of various electroniccommunications and marketing materials based on the received electronicdata.

The database 110 may be embodied as a data storage device such as aNetwork Attached Storage (NAS) device or devices, or as a separatedatabase server or servers. The database 110 includes informationaccessed and stored by the server 108 to facilitate the operations ofthe Promotion and Marketing Service system 102. For example, thedatabase 110 may include, without limitation, user account credentialsfor system administrators, merchants, and consumers, data indicating theproducts and promotions offered by the promotion and marketing service,clickstream data, analytic results, reports, financial data, and/or thelike.

In some embodiments, the Promotion and Marketing Service system 102 maysupport applications executed on consumer devices 104 that mayfacilitate providing impressions to the consumer regarding one or morepromotions, assist the consumer in searching for available promotions,purchasing promotions, managing purchased promotions, and the like. Insome embodiments, the Promotion and Marketing Service system 102 maysupport providing impressions for travel promotions, lodging promotions,dining promotions, event/activity promotions, goods promotions, and thelike.

Promotion and Marketing Service system 102 may be coupled to one or moreconsumer devices 104, such as via network 106. In this regard, network106 may include any wired or wireless communication network including,for example, a wired or wireless local area network (LAN), personal areanetwork (PAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN),or the like, as well as any hardware, software and/or firmware requiredto implement it (such as, e.g., network routers, etc.). For example,network 106 may include a cellular telephone, 802.11, 802.16, 802.20,and/or WiMax network. Further, the network 106 may include a publicnetwork, such as the Internet, a private network, such as an intranet,or combinations thereof, and may utilize a variety of networkingprotocols now available or later developed including, such as, but notlimited to, TCP/IP based networking protocols.

Consumer device 104 may be implemented as a personal computer and/orother networked device, such as a cellular phone, tablet computer,laptop computer, mobile device, etc., that may be used for any suitablepurpose in addition to searching for promotions, processingtransactions, and the like. While FIG. 1 illustrates a single consumerdevice 104, a plurality of consumer devices may be in communication withthe Promotion and Marketing Service system 102. In some embodiments,consumer device 104 may be configured to provide graphical userinterfaces, such as illustrated in FIGS. 5-23 , to facilitate consumerinteractions with Marketing and Promotion Service systems, includingsearching for and purchasing one or more promotions.

For example, in one embodiment the Promotion and Marketing Servicesystem 102 may support a travel application that provides impressions toconsumers regarding travel and lodging promotions, as well as otherpromotions associated with the travel location.

General Description of Example Travel Application

In some embodiments, the application may allow for a consumer to locate“last minute” promotions, for example, promotions that are availablenearby the consumers current location (e.g., by selecting “NearbyTonight” of FIG. 5 ). The application may also allow for a consumer toreview travel promotions curated by the Promotion and Marketing Service(e.g., by selecting “Inspire Me” of FIG. 5 ). The application may alsoallow for a consumer to input criteria to use for searching availablepromotions. In some embodiments, the application may allow for aconsumer to provide input for one or more of category, time period, andlocation of promotion to use as criteria for searching for availablepromotions. Alternatively or additionally, the application may searchfor particular combinations of promotions and travel, combinations oftimes of availability, combinations including class of service, and/orthe like.

For example, in some embodiments, the application may provide for theconsumer to indicate a category of promotions to search as part of thesearch criteria, e.g., ski vacation promotions, beach vacationpromotions, outdoors vacation promotions, family vacation promotions,any promotions, etc. Such exemplary categories are shown with respect toFIG. 6 . FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary input screen allowing aconsumer to indicate a promotion category to use in defining thepromotion search criteria.

In some embodiments, the application may also provide for the consumerto indicate a period in which the promotion may be redeemed as part ofthe search criteria. For example, the application may allow the consumerto define a begin date and end date of a date range, a specific date, anupcoming weekend, or “anytime” period to use as part of the searchcriteria. In some embodiments, the application may allow the consumer todefine one or more date range periods and further indicate that theconsumer would like to search for a promotion for any x number of daysperiod with one of date range periods (e.g., the consumer may be able toindicate that they would like to search for a 3-day hotel stay withinone of two five day periods within a particular month). An example ofdate ranges is shown with respect to FIG. 7 . FIG. 7 illustrates anexemplary input screen allowing a consumer to indicate a time period touse in defining the promotion search criteria.

In some embodiments, the application may also provide for the consumerto indicate a location to use as part of the search criteria. Forexample, the consumer may be able to indicate or otherwise request tosearch for promotions nearby the consumer's current location, to searchfor promotions in a specific location (e.g., regions, state, city,neighborhood, etc.), to search for promotions anywhere, or,advantageously, the consumer may be able to draw an area on a map thatshould be used as the location search criteria. One example of a drawingtool is shown with respect to FIGS. 8 through 10 . FIGS. 8 through 10illustrate exemplary input screens allowing a consumer to indicate alocation to use in defining the promotion search criteria.

In some examples, the drawing tool may access a map that lists orillustrates particular geographic areas. In such cases, one or moreareas may be selected based on the shape or shapes drawn. In otherexamples, the input may be provided by circling or otherwise drawing ashape around other data, such as image data, representations of mapdata, flight maps, cruise routes, representations of cities, particularterrain features like mountains or beaches, and/or the like.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of exemplary operations for a process 200that may be executed by one or more apparatuses to facilitate consumersearching for available promotions, in accordance with some exampleembodiments discussed herein. Operations of process 200 may begin atblock 202 upon a consumer launching an application associated with aPromotion and Marketing Service system (e.g., Promotion and MarketingService system 102) via a consumer device (e.g., consumer device 104).One such example of an initial launch screen is shown with respect toFIG. 5 . FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary initial launch screen for anapplication facilitating consumer searches for travel-relatedpromotions.

At block 204, input of a time period may be received, such as a specificdate, date range, or type of period (e.g. weekend), to be used insearching for available promotions, for example, using means such asinput/output interfaces 2408, display 2410, processor 2402, and/ormemory 2404 of consumer device 104. In some embodiments, a calendardisplay screen may be provided to facilitate the consumer input of atime period to be used in the search criteria. One such example of acalendar interface screen is shown with respect to FIG. 11 . FIG. 11illustrates an exemplary calendar interface screen associated with aconsumer device 104 allowing a consumer to indicate a time period to usein defining the promotion search criteria.

At block 206, a map may be accessed and provided to the consumer in aninterface display, for example, using means such as display 2410,input/output interfaces 2408, communications interface 2406, processor2402, and/or memory 2404 of consumer device 104. In some embodiments,the current location of the consumer may be used to determine the regionof the map to be displayed to the consumer. In some embodiments, theconsumer may provide location parameters to determine the region of themap to be displayed (e.g., a country, region, state, etc.).

At block 208, the consumer may indicate a region of the displayed mapthat should be used to define the search criteria, for example, usingmeans such as input/output interfaces 2408, display 2410, processor2402, and/or memory 2404 of consumer device 104. In some embodiments,the consumer may draw a circle, or some other shape or partial shape, onthe display to circumscribe a region of the displayed map. For example,in some embodiments, the consumer device may comprise a touch screendisplay and the consumer may use a finger, stylus, or the like to draw ashape circumscribing the desired region on the touchscreen display. Inother embodiments, the consumer may use a pointing device, such as acomputer mouse, to circumscribe the desired region of the map. One suchexample of a drawing tool is shown with respect to FIG. 10 . FIG. 10illustrates an exemplary input screen associated with a consumer device104 allowing a consumer to circumscribe a map region to use in definingthe promotion search criteria.

Alternatively or additionally, and as noted above, other images,geographical data, or other indications of places or activities may bedisplayed instead of or in conjunction with a map. In other examples,multiple circles or other shapes may be input by a consumer to indicatemultiple search areas, the overlap of the circles or other shapes maycomprise the search area, or each of the areas may be searched. In otherexamples, multiple consumers may be searching together (e.g., planning agroup travel experience) and an overlap area of the areas input by themultiple consumers may be searched, each of the areas input by each ofthe consumers may be searched, and/or the like.

At block 210, the consumer may then initiate a search such that thePromotion and Marketing Service system may then search for promotionsavailable within the circumscribed region and available for redemptionduring the indicated time period. At block 212, the Promotion andMarketing Service system may generate an impression comprising one ormore promotions found in the search and the impression may then bepresented to the consumer, such as illustrated in FIG. 12 . In someexamples, the impression may include promotions from one or morechannels, such as from travel, experiences, goods, services, and/or thelike. As such, the consumer may arrange, for example, for travel,lodging, and meals in one application.

In some embodiments, the application may allow for the promotion searchinterface to be shared by multiple consumers on their individual devicessuch that each consumer may provide input of a circumscribed region onthe displayed map. In such an embodiment, the location search criteriamay be defined by combining the individual circumscribed regions andsetting the search location as the area of overlap of the combinedcircumscribed regions, by searching each of the circumscribed regions ofeach of the multiple consumers, or the like.

FIG. 3 illustrates another flowchart of exemplary operations for aprocess 300 that may be executed by one or more apparatuses tofacilitate consumer searching for available promotions, in accordancewith some example embodiments discussed herein. Operations of process300 may begin at block 302 upon a consumer launching an applicationassociated with a Promotion and Marketing Service system (e.g.,Promotion and Marketing Service system 102) via a consumer device (e.g.,consumer device 104). One such example of an initial launch screen isshown with respect to FIG. 5 . FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary initiallaunch screen for an application facilitating consumer searches fortravel-related promotions.

At block 304, consumer input of a promotion category to be used in thesearch criteria may be received, for example, using means such asinput/output interfaces 2408, display 2410, processor 2402, and/ormemory 2404 of consumer device 104. For example, in some embodiments,the consumer may be provided with a display of categories reflectiondifferent types of travel opportunities to select from, such as ski,beach, outdoors, family, romantic, and the like. Such categories areshown with respect to FIG. 6 . FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary inputscreen associated with a consumer device 104 allowing a consumer toindicate a promotion category to use in defining the promotion searchcriteria.

At block 306, consumer input of a time period may be received, such as aspecific date, date range, or type of period (e.g. weekend), to be usedin searching for available promotions, for example, using means such asinput/output interfaces 2408, display 2410, processor 2402, and/ormemory 2404 of consumer device 104. In some embodiments, a calendardisplay screen may be provided to facilitate the consumer input of atime period to be used in the search criteria. One such example of acalendar interface screen is shown with respect to FIG. 11 . FIG. 11illustrates an exemplary calendar interface screen associated with aconsumer device 104 allowing a consumer to indicate a time period to usein defining the promotion search criteria.

At block 308, consumer input of an indication to use a “Draw Map”interface to input location search criteria may be received, forexample, using means such as input/output interfaces 2408, display 2410,processor 2402, and/or memory 2404 of consumer device 104. One suchexample of an input screen to select a “Draw Map” interface is shownwith respect to FIG. 9 . FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary input screenassociated with a consumer device 104 allowing a consumer to indicate adesire to draw on a map to indicate the location to use in defining thepromotion search criteria. In some embodiments, a consumer may providethe indication by selecting a button, field, indicator, or the like,such as indicator 902 of FIG. 9 . At block 310, a map may be accessedand provided to the consumer in an interface display screen. In someembodiments, the current location of the consumer may be used todetermine the section of the map to be displayed to the consumer. Insome embodiments, the consumer may provide location parameters todetermine the section of the map to be displayed (e.g., a country,region, state, etc.).

At block 312, consumer input may be received to indicate a region of thedisplayed map that should be used to define the search criteria, forexample, using means such as input/output interfaces 2408, display 2410,processor 2402, and/or memory 2404 of consumer device 104. In someembodiments, the consumer may draw a circle, or some other shape orpartial shape, on the display to circumscribe a region of the map. Forexample, in some embodiments, the consumer device may comprise a touchscreen display and the consumer may use a finger, stylus, or the like todraw a shape circumscribing the desired region on the touchscreendisplay. In other embodiments, the consumer may use a pointing device,such as a computer mouse, to circumscribe the desired region of the map.One such example of a drawing tool is shown with respect to FIG. 10 .FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary input screen associated with a consumerdevice 104 allowing a consumer to circumscribe a map region to use indefining the promotion search criteria, with circumscribed region 1002being indicated.

At block 314, a plurality of coordinate points on the boundary of thecircumscribed region may be determined. At block 316, location searchcriteria may be defined as being the area of the map within theplurality of coordinate points.

At block 318, the consumer may then initiate a search such that thePromotion and Marketing Service system may then search for promotionsavailable within the circumscribed region and that are within theindicated category and available for redemption during the indicatedtime period. At block 320, the Promotion and Marketing Service systemmay generate an impression comprising one or more promotions found inthe search and the impression may then be presented to the consumer,such as illustrated in FIG. 12 .

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate flowcharts describing example operations forstoring searches and providing alerts for promotions meeting searchcriteria in accordance with some example embodiments discussed herein

FIG. 4A illustrates a flowchart of exemplary operations that may beexecuted by one or more apparatuses to facilitate consumer searching foravailable promotions including saving search criteria for further use,in accordance with some example embodiments discussed herein. Operationsmay begin at block 402 upon a consumer launching an applicationassociated with a Promotion and Marketing Service system (e.g.,Promotion and Marketing Service system 102) via a consumer device (e.g.,consumer device 104). One such example of an initial launch screen isshown with respect to FIG. 5 . FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary initiallaunch screen for an application facilitating consumer searches fortravel-related promotions.

At block 404, consumer input of a promotion category to be used in thesearch criteria may be received. For example, in some embodiments, theconsumer may be provided with a display of categories reflectiondifferent types of travel opportunities to select from, such as ski,beach, outdoors, family, romantic, and the like. Such categories areshown with respect to FIG. 6 . FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary inputscreen associated with a consumer device 104 allowing a consumer toindicate a promotion category to use in defining the promotion searchcriteria.

At block 406, consumer input of a time period may be received, such as aspecific date, date range, or type of period (e.g. weekend), to be usedin searching for available promotions. In some embodiments, a calendardisplay screen may be provided to facilitate the consumer input of atime period to be used in the search criteria.

At block 408, consumer input of an indication to use a “Draw Map”interface to input location search criteria may be received. At block410, a map may be accessed and provided to the consumer in an interfacedisplay screen. In some embodiments, the current location of theconsumer may be used to determine the section of the map to be displayedto the consumer. In some embodiments, the consumer may provide locationparameters to determine the section of the map to be displayed (e.g., acountry, region, state, etc.).

At block 412, consumer input may be received to indicate a region of thedisplayed map that should be used to define the search criteria. In someembodiments, the consumer may draw a circle, or some other shape, on thedisplay to circumscribe a region of the map. For example, in someembodiments, the consumer device may comprise a touch screen display andthe consumer may use a finger, stylus, or the like to draw a shapecircumscribing the desired region on the touchscreen display. In otherembodiments, the consumer may use a pointing device, such as a computermouse, to circumscribe the desired region of the map. One such exampleof a drawing tool is shown with respect to FIG. 10 . FIG. 10 illustratesan exemplary input screen associated with a consumer device 104 allowinga consumer to circumscribe a map region to use in defining the promotionsearch criteria.

At block 414, the Promotion and Marketing Service system may then searchfor promotions available within the circumscribed region and that arewithin the indicated category and available for redemption during theindicated time period. At block 416, consumer input may be received toindicate that the current search criteria should be saved. At block 418,the search criteria may be stored and associated with the consumer, forexample as part of a consumer profile or consumer account. One suchexample of a saved search display screen is shown with respect to FIG.13 . FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary screen associated with a consumerdevice 104 displaying a plurality of previously stored searches for aconsumer.

FIG. 4B illustrates a flowchart of exemplary operations that may beexecuted by one or more apparatuses to facilitate consumer searching foravailable promotions including alerting a consumer when stored searchcriteria is met, in accordance with some example embodiments discussedherein. Operations illustrated in FIG. 4B may occur after a consumer hasdefined promotion search criteria and saved the search criteria, such asdescribed in relation to FIG. 4A. In some embodiments, a consumer may beprovided the option to set up alerts for the stored search criteria aspart of the operations for storing the search criteria. In someembodiments, a consumer may be provided the option to select previouslystored search criteria and establish or edit alerts for the selectedstored search criteria.

Operations may begin at block 422 where consumer input may be receivedto establish alert parameters for stored search criteria. In someembodiments, a consumer may be able to set up a basic level of alertswhereby an alert notification may be generated when a new promotion thatmatches the search criteria becomes available. For example, an alertnotification may comprise a push notification, email message, or thelike, comprising an impression with one or more promotions. In someembodiments, a consumer may be provided the ability to establishadvanced alerts whereby the consumer may establish additional parametersfor an alert notification to be generated. For example, a consumer maybe able to set an alert trigger whereby an alert notification may beprovided when a promotion meeting the search criteria and that is belowa threshold dollar amount is available, e.g., when a promotion is below$200. Some examples of alert setting screens are shown with respect toFIGS. 13 and 14 . FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate exemplary screens forestablishing alerts for new or previously saved searches for a consumer.For example, in some embodiments, a consumer may select an indicator,such as alert indicator 1302, to establish or edit alerts for particularstored search criteria. After receiving a selection of alert indicator1402, an alert setup interface may be displayed, such that a consumermay indicate to use a basic alert by selecting button 1402 or toestablish more advanced alert parameters by selecting button 1404.

At block 424, the Promotion and Marketing Service system may then searchfor promotions using the stored search criteria. At block 426, adetermination is made if any promotions returned as search results meetthe criteria for the defined alert parameters. If no promotions in theresults meet the alert parameters, operations may return to block 426and wait for a next iteration of the search to be performed. If at block426, a determination is made that one or more promotions meet the alertparameters, the Promotion and Marketing Service system may generate animpression at block 428 comprising one or more promotions found in thesearch and a notification may be provided to the consumer, such as apush notification, a message comprising the impression, or the like,such that the impression may then be presented to the consumer.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example interface that may be provided on aconsumer device to access the functionality of Promotion and MarketingService system application, such as a travel application. The interfacemay allow for a consumer to search for promotions using various methods,as described herein.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate example interfaces that may be provided on aconsumer device to provide search criteria input capabilities, such asallowing a consumer to indicate search criteria for what type ofpromotions, a time period for promotions, and a location for promotions.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary input screen allowing a consumer toindicate a desire to draw on a map display to indicate the location touse in defining the promotion search criteria. For example, a consumermay select a button, indicator, or field, such as indicator 902, on theinterface to indicate that a map should be displayed to allow input of asearch region. FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary input screen allowing aconsumer to circumscribe a map region to use in defining the promotionsearch criteria, such as circumscribed region 1002.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary calendar interface screen allowing aconsumer to select a desired time period for use in the search criteria.In some embodiments, the calendar interface may allow a consumer toselect a specific date, one or more date ranges, a set number of dayswithin a date range, a particular type of time period such as weekendsor holidays, and/or the like.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary display screen presenting an impressionwith one or more promotions returned as a result of the search. Theinterface illustrated in FIG. 12 may provide functionality for aconsumer to select a promotion and receive additional details regardingthe promotion, such as illustrated in FIG. 19 .

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate exemplary screens for displaying a consumer'sstored search criteria and for establishing alerts for a consumer usingstored search criteria.

FIGS. 15-18 illustrate exemplary interface screens that may allow for aconsumer loyalty program in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention. FIG. 15 illustrates an example of an initial loyaltyprogram display screen. The loyalty program display screen may allow fora consumer to redeem loyalty program promotional codes that have beenprovided to the consumer, view active loyalty program promotionalinstruments that the consumer has earned, and provide an indication ofthe consumer's status regarding particular levels within a loyaltyprogram.

In some embodiments, a consumer may earn rewards in the loyalty programby completing a certain number or series of tasks or actions. Forexample, as illustrated in Active Vouchers section 1502, a “Travel Guru”reward instrument may have been activated or unlocked by the consumercompleting certain actions, such as providing recommendations, commentsin a travel guide, or the like.

In some embodiments, the loyalty program display screen may displaydifferent reward levels that can be activated or unlocked by theconsumer completing certain actions or tasks, such as in Get Rewardssection 1504. In some embodiments, the loyalty program display screenmay display the consumer's progress in completing the requirements tounlock a certain reward level, such as status icon 1508. In someembodiments, the loyalty program display screen may provide for detailsassociated with a reward level to be displayed upon a consumer clickingan icon, such as information icon 1506. Upon a consumer selectioninformation icon 1506, a reward level detail screen, such as detailscreen 1602 of FIG. 16 , may be displayed.

FIG. 16 illustrates another example of a loyalty program display screenwhere the information regarding the required actions or tasks to unlocka reward level is displayed.

FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary interface screen for entering ratingsand comments regarding a travel or promotion experience, which may be anaction to be completed as part of the loyalty program. FIG. 18illustrates an exemplary interface screen for sharing information viasocial networks regarding a travel or promotion experience, which may bean action to be completed as part of the loyalty program.

FIGS. 19-23 illustrate exemplary display screens as part of a travelpromotion selection and purchase process. Once an impression comprisingone or more promotions has been provided to a consumer, such asdescribed herein, the consumer may select a particular promotion toreceive additional details on the promotion, such as illustrated in FIG.19 . For example, in some embodiments, a consumer may be presented witha brief summary of information about the promotion, such as hotelinformation and pictures for a lodging promotion. The consumer may alsobe provided the ability to see ratings, recommendations, comments, andthe like for the promotion provider. In some embodiments, the consumermay be able to view activities that may be associated with thepromotion, for example local goods, services, events, or restaurantsnear a hotel. In some embodiments, the consumer may be able to shareinformation about the promotion with friends or groups, such as viasocial media applications. In some embodiments, the consumer may be ableto view other travel information associated with the promotion, such asviewing flights to and from airports near a hotel.

In some embodiments, once a consumer has selected a particularpromotion, such as a hotel promotion, a calendar may be displayed toallow the consumer to select dates of their stay or the like, asillustrated in FIG. 20 . In some embodiments, the calendar display mayindicate what dates are available for redemption of the promotion andonly allow the consumer to select dates within those available periods.In some embodiments, once the consumer has selected the dates for thetravel promotion, the consumer may be provide a series of screens tocomplete and confirm the purchase, such as FIGS. 21 and 22 , where theconsumer may enter their personal and payment information. In someembodiments, once the consumer has completed the purchase process, aconfirmation display may be presented with a summary of the promotionpurchase, as illustrated in FIG. 23 . The confirmation display may alsoinclude recommendations for promotions for restaurants, services,activities, goods, or the like, which may be associated with the travel.

FIG. 24 shows a block diagram of apparatus 2400, some or all of whichmay be included in, for example, a promotion and marketing servicesystem 102, and/or consumer device 104. As illustrated in FIG. 24 , inaccordance with some example embodiments, apparatus 2400 can includevarious means, such as one or more processors 2402, memories 2404,communications interfaces 2406, input/output interfaces 2408, and/ordisplay 2410. In this regard, the means of apparatus 2400 as describedherein may be embodied as, for example, circuitry, hardware elements(e.g., a suitably programmed processor, combinational logic circuit,and/or the like), a computer program product comprisingcomputer-readable program instructions stored on a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium that is executable by a suitably configuredprocessing device (e.g., processor 2402), or some combination thereof.

Apparatus 2400 may be specially configured to execute instructions andprovide functions in accordance with example embodiments of theinvention disclosed herein. For example, apparatus 2400 may be suitablyconfigured for such using means such as computer-readable programinstructions stored in one or more memories 2404, stored on one or morenon-transitory computer-readable medium, and/or the like.

Processor 2402 may, for example, be embodied as various means includingone or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signalprocessor(s), one or more processor(s) without an accompanying digitalsignal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-coreprocessors, one or more controllers, processing circuitry, one or morecomputers, various other processing elements including integratedcircuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integratedcircuit) or FPGA (field programmable gate array), or some combinationthereof. Accordingly, although illustrated in FIG. 24 as a singleprocessor, in some embodiments, processor 2402 comprises a plurality ofprocessors. The plurality of processors may be embodied on a singlecomputing device or may be distributed across a plurality of computingdevices collectively configured to function as apparatus 2400. Theplurality of processors may be in operative communication with eachother and may be collectively configured to perform one or morefunctionalities of apparatus 2400 as described herein. In an exampleembodiment, processor 2402 is configured to execute instructions storedin memory 2404 or otherwise accessible to processor 2402, such asinstructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Theseinstructions, when executed by processor 2402, may cause apparatus 2400to perform one or more of the functionalities of the embodiments asdescribed herein.

Whether configured by hardware, firmware/software methods, or by acombination thereof, processor 2402 may comprise an entity capable ofperforming operations according to embodiments of the present inventionwhile configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when processor 2402 isembodied as an ASIC, FPGA, or the like, processor 2402 may comprisespecifically configured hardware for conducting one or more operationsdescribed herein. As another example, when processor 2402 is embodied asan executor of instructions, such as may be stored in memory 2404, theinstructions may specifically configure processor 2402 to perform one ormore algorithms and operations described herein, such as those discussedin connection with FIGS. 2-4B.

Memory 2404 may comprise, for example, volatile memory, non-volatilememory, or some combination thereof. Although illustrated in FIG. 24 asa single memory, memory 2404 may comprise a plurality of memorycomponents. The plurality of memory components may be embodied on asingle computing device or distributed across a plurality of computingdevices. In various embodiments, memory 2404 may comprise, for example,a hard disk, random access memory, cache memory, flash memory, a compactdisc read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read only memory(DVD-ROM), an optical disc, circuitry configured to store information,or some combination thereof. Memory 2404 may be configured to storeinformation, data, applications, instructions, or the like for enablingapparatus 2400 to carry out various functions in accordance with exampleembodiments of the present invention. For example, in at least someembodiments, memory 2404 is configured to buffer input data forprocessing by processor 2402. Additionally or alternatively, in at leastsome embodiments, memory 2404 is configured to store programinstructions for execution by processor 2402. Memory 2404 may storeinformation in the form of static and/or dynamic information. Thisstored information may be stored and/or used by apparatus 2400 duringthe course of performing its functionalities.

Communications interface 2406 may be embodied as any device or meansembodied in circuitry, hardware, a computer program product comprisingcomputer readable program instructions stored on a computer readablemedium (e.g., memory 2404) and executed by a processing device (e.g.,processor 2402), or a combination thereof that is configured to receiveand/or transmit data from/to another device, such as, for example, asecond apparatus 2400 and/or the like. In some embodiments,communications interface 2406 (like other components discussed herein)can be at least partially embodied as or otherwise controlled byprocessor 2402. In this regard, communications interface 2406 may be incommunication with processor 2402, such as via a bus. Communicationsinterface 2406 may include, for example, an antenna, a transmitter, areceiver, a transceiver, network interface card and/or supportinghardware and/or firmware/software for enabling communications withanother computing device. Communications interface 2406 may beconfigured to receive and/or transmit any data that may be stored bymemory 2404 using any protocol that may be used for communicationsbetween computing devices. Communications interface 2406 mayadditionally or alternatively be in communication with the memory 2404,input/output interfaces 2408, and/or any other component of apparatus2400, such as via a bus.

Input/output interfaces 2408 may be in communication with processor 2402to receive an indication of a user input and/or to provide an audible,visual, mechanical, or other output to a user (e.g., a consumer). Someexample visual outputs that may be provided to a user by apparatus 2400are discussed in connection with FIGS. 5-23 . As such, input/outputinterfaces 2408 may include support, for example, for a keyboard, amouse, a joystick, a display, a touch screen display, a microphone, aspeaker, a RFID reader, barcode reader, biometric scanner, and/or otherinput/output mechanisms. In embodiments wherein apparatus 2400 isembodied as a server or database, aspects of input/output interfaces2408 may be reduced as compared to embodiments where apparatus 2400 isimplemented as an end-user machine (e.g., a consumer device) or othertype of device designed for complex user interactions. In someembodiments (like other components discussed herein), input/outputinterfaces 2408 may even be eliminated from apparatus 2400. Input/outputinterfaces 2408 may be in communication with the memory 2404,communications interface 2406, and/or any other component(s), such asvia a bus. Although more than one input/output interface and/or othercomponent can be included in apparatus 2400, only one is shown in FIG.24 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing (like the other componentsdiscussed herein).

In some embodiments, some or all of the functionality for facilitatingconsumer interactions with Marketing and Promotion Service systems suchas consumer searching for promotions may be performed by processor 2402.In this regard, the example processes and algorithms discussed hereincan be performed by at least one processor 2402. For example,non-transitory computer readable storage media can be configured tostore firmware, one or more application programs, and/or other software,which include instructions and other computer-readable program codeportions that can be executed to control each processor (e.g., processor2402) of the components of system 100 to implement various operations,including the examples shown above. As such, a series ofcomputer-readable program code portions are embodied in one or morecomputer program products and can be used, with a computing device,server, and/or other programmable apparatus, to producemachine-implemented processes.

As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions and/orother type of code may be loaded onto a computer, processor or otherprogrammable apparatus's circuitry to produce a machine, such that thecomputer, processor other programmable circuitry that execute the codeon the machine create the means for implementing various functions,including those described herein.

It is also noted that all or some of the information presented by theexample displays discussed herein can be based on data that is received,generated and/or maintained by one or more components of system 100. Insome embodiments, one or more external systems (such as a remote cloudcomputing and/or data storage system) may also be leveraged to provideat least some of the functionality discussed herein.

As described above and as will be appreciated based on this disclosure,embodiments of the present invention may be configured as methods,mobile devices, backend network devices, and the like. Accordingly,embodiments may comprise various means including entirely of hardware orany combination of software and hardware. Furthermore, embodiments maytake the form of a computer program product on at least onenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readableprogram instructions (e.g., computer software) embodied in the storagemedium. Any suitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilizedincluding non-transitory hard disks, CD-ROMs, flash memory, opticalstorage devices, or magnetic storage devices.

Embodiments of the present invention have been described above withreference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods,apparatuses, systems, and computer program products. It will beunderstood that each block of the circuit diagrams and processflowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the circuit diagrams andprocess flowcharts, respectively, can be implemented by various meansincluding computer program instructions. These computer programinstructions may be loaded onto a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, suchas processor 2402 discussed above with reference to FIG. 24 , to producea machine, such that the computer program product includes theinstructions which execute on the computer or other programmable dataprocessing apparatus create a means for implementing the functionsspecified in the flowchart block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable storage medium (e.g., memory 2404) that can direct acomputer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function ina particular manner, such that the instructions stored in thecomputer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufactureincluding computer-readable instructions for implementing the functiondiscussed herein. The computer program instructions may also be loadedonto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or otherprogrammable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process suchthat the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions discussed herein.

Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrationssupport combinations of means for performing the specified functions,combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and programinstruction means for performing the specified functions. It will alsobe understood that each block of the circuit diagrams and processflowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the circuit diagrams andprocess flowcharts, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedcomputer systems that perform the specified functions or steps, orcombinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseembodiments of the invention pertain having the benefit of the teachingspresented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the inventionare not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and thatmodifications and other embodiments are intended to be included withinthe scope of the appended claims.

1.-33. (canceled)
 34. An apparatus comprising a processor and anon-transitory memory storing program instructions, wherein thenon-transitory memory and the program instructions are configured to,with the processor, cause the apparatus to: retrieve stored searchcriteria and at least one alert parameter, wherein the stored searchcriteria comprise a search region and a search date; transmit a searchquery based on the stored search criteria; receive a plurality of searchresponses based on the search query; determine that the at least onealert parameter is met based on: monitoring a current location of afirst client device; and determining that the current location of thefirst client device is within the search region; and in response todetermining that the at least one alert parameter is met, generate animpression comprising the plurality of search responses.
 35. Theapparatus of claim 34, wherein the non-transitory memory and the programinstructions are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatusto: cause display of a shared map interface on the first client deviceand on a second client device; receive clickstream data from the firstclient device and the second client device; and access the shared mapinterface based on receiving location parameters from the first clientdevice and the second client device.
 36. The apparatus of claim 35,wherein the shared map interface is based on the current location of thefirst client device.
 37. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein thenon-transitory memory and the program instructions are configured to,with the processor, cause the apparatus to: receive input comprising thesearch date from the first client device via a network; receive a firstshape drawing input that is indicative of first location data on theshared map interface displayed on the first client device, wherein thefirst client device is associated with a first consumer profile;generate a first circumscribed region on the shared map interface of thefirst client device and the second client device based on the firstshape drawing input and the first location data; receive a second shapedrawing input that is indicative of second location data on the sharedmap interface displayed on the second client device, wherein the secondclient device is associated with a second consumer profile; and generatea second circumscribed region on the shared map interface of the firstclient device and the second client device based on the second shapedrawing input and the second location data.
 38. The apparatus of claim37, wherein the non-transitory memory and the program instructions areconfigured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to: determine thesearch region based on the first circumscribed region and the secondcircumscribed region, wherein the search region is only an overlappingregion of the first circumscribed region and the second circumscribedregion; receive input comprising a promotion category from a pluralityof promotion categories from the first client device via the network;receive an indication to store search criteria comprising the searchregion, the search date, and the promotion category from the firstclient device via the network; and store the search criteria.
 39. Theapparatus of claim 34, wherein the non-transitory memory and the programinstructions are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatusto: provide the impression to the first client device via a network andthrough a push notification.
 40. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein theimpression comprises one or more promotions that are redeemable withinthe search region on the search date.
 41. A computer-implemented methodcomprising: retrieving stored search criteria and at least one alertparameter, wherein the stored search criteria comprise a search regionand a search date; transmitting a search query based on the storedsearch criteria; receiving a plurality of search responses based on thesearch query; determining that the at least one alert parameter is metbased on: monitoring a current location of a first client device, anddetermining that the current location of the first client device iswithin the search region; and in response to determining that the atleast one alert parameter is met, generating an impression comprisingthe plurality of search responses.
 42. The computer-implemented methodof claim 41, further comprising: causing display of a shared mapinterface on the first client device and on a second client device;receiving clickstream data from the first client device and the secondclient device; and accessing the shared map interface based on receivinglocation parameters from the first client device and the second clientdevice.
 43. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, wherein theshared map interface is based on the current location of the firstclient device.
 44. The computer-implemented method of claim 42, furthercomprising: receiving input comprising the search date from the firstclient device via a network; receiving a first shape drawing input thatis indicative of first location data on the shared map interfacedisplayed on the first client device, wherein the first client device isassociated with a first consumer profile; generating a firstcircumscribed region on the shared map interface of the first clientdevice and the second client device based on the first shape drawinginput and the first location data; receiving a second shape drawinginput that is indicative of second location data on the shared mapinterface displayed on the second client device, wherein the secondclient device is associated with a second consumer profile; andgenerating a second circumscribed region on the shared map interface ofthe first client device and the second client device based on the secondshape drawing input and the second location data.
 45. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 44, further comprising: determiningthe search region based on the first circumscribed region and the secondcircumscribed region, wherein the search region is only an overlappingregion of the first circumscribed region and the second circumscribedregion; receiving input comprising a promotion category from a pluralityof promotion categories from the first client device via the network;receiving an indication to store search criteria comprising the searchregion, the search date, and the promotion category from the firstclient device via the network; and storing the search criteria.
 46. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 41, further comprising: providingthe impression to the first client device via a network and through apush notification.
 47. The computer-implemented method of claim 41,wherein the impression comprises one or more promotions that areredeemable within the search region on the search date.
 48. A computerprogram product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium having computer-readable program code portions storedtherein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising anexecutable portion configured to: retrieve stored search criteria and atleast one alert parameter, wherein the stored search criteria comprise asearch region and a search date; transmit a search query based on thestored search criteria; receive a plurality of search responses based onthe search query; determine that the at least one alert parameter is metfor one or more search responses of the plurality of search responsesbased on: monitoring a current location of a first client device, anddetermining that the current location of the first client device iswithin the search region; and in response to determining that the atleast one alert parameter is met, generate an impression comprising theplurality of search responses.
 49. The computer program product of claim48, wherein the computer-readable program code portions comprise theexecutable portion configured to: cause display of a shared mapinterface on the first client device and on a second client device;receive clickstream data from the first client device and the secondclient device; and access the shared map interface based on receivinglocation parameters from the first client device and the second clientdevice.
 50. The computer program product of claim 49, wherein the sharedmap interface is based on the current location of the first clientdevice.
 51. The computer program product of claim 49, wherein thecomputer-readable program code portions comprise the executable portionconfigured to: receive input comprising the search date from the firstclient device via a network; receive a first shape drawing input that isindicative of first location data on the shared map interface displayedon the first client device, wherein the first client device isassociated with a first consumer profile; generate a first circumscribedregion on the shared map interface of the first client device and thesecond client device based on the first shape drawing input and thefirst location data; receive a second shape drawing input that isindicative of second location data on the shared map interface displayedon the second client device, wherein the second client device isassociated with a second consumer profile; and generate a secondcircumscribed region on the shared map interface of the first clientdevice and the second client device based on the second shape drawinginput and the second location data.
 52. The computer program product ofclaim 51, wherein the computer-readable program code portions comprisethe executable portion configured to: determine the search region basedon the first circumscribed region and the second circumscribed region,wherein the search region is only an overlapping region of the firstcircumscribed region and the second circumscribed region; receive inputcomprising a promotion category from a plurality of promotion categoriesfrom the first client device via the network; receive an indication tostore search criteria comprising the search region, the search date, andthe promotion category from the first client device via the network; andstore the search criteria.
 53. The computer program product of claim 48,wherein the computer-readable program code portions comprise theexecutable portion configured to: provide the impression to the firstclient device via a network and through a push notification.